I have read, with interest, recent letters about the concept of teachers working in nurseries to raise the standard of the care and education provided. My first point is that many teachers may well be qualified to teach the early years curriculum but will not have had the core training of nursery nurses in the care and development needs of very young children. I agree with the aim of raising the profile of the early years professional (Letters, 9 February). Senior nursery nurses working toward a degree in childhood studies or management will surely mean they are equally as qualified as a teacher, but in their own field. Like Nikki Gray, I am about to enter my second year of a foundation degree in Management of a Childcare Provision. It offers a relevant programme of study for managers of busy childcare settings. Modules cover topics such as Key Influences on Education and Care, Managing Children's Health, Human Resource Management and Understanding and Managing Finance, to name but a few. At last there is a qualification out there to underpin our dedication, knowledge and experience and keep in line with the Government's ten-year strategy.
I have read, with interest, recent letters about the concept of teachers working in nurseries to raise the standard of the care and education provided. My first point is that many teachers may well be qualified to teach the early years curriculum but will not have had the core training of nursery nurses in the care and development needs of very young children.
I agree with the aim of raising the profile of the early years professional (Letters, 9 February). Senior nursery nurses working toward a degree in childhood studies or management will surely mean they are equally as qualified as a teacher, but in their own field. Like Nikki Gray, I am about to enter my second year of a foundation degree in Management of a Childcare Provision. It offers a relevant programme of study for managers of busy childcare settings. Modules cover topics such as Key Influences on Education and Care, Managing Children's Health, Human Resource Management and Understanding and Managing Finance, to name but a few. At last there is a qualification out there to underpin our dedication, knowledge and experience and keep in line with the Government's ten-year strategy.
I agree with Nikki Gray that we should draw a line beneath this continual comparison between the nursery and teaching sector and, as she says, '...develop a mutual respect for each other's roles'.
But once people like Nikki and myself have gained the degree, will the Government raise our profile and subsequent income to that of other degree holders?
* Trudi Mayes, Sevenoaks, Kent
